In between playing songs on their instruments, singing songs, and dancing traditional numbers to the music, Mikhail Smirnov shared a little bit of the Russian language with the students. He taught them phrases such as "Thank You" (SPASIBO), "Hello" (ZDRAVSTVUITE), "You're Welcome" (PAZHALUYSTA) and "Bye" (PAKA) as well as the alphabet and counting. He said each word in English and then slowly in Russian, allowing the children a moment to try the words themselves after each one.
After the segment on words, the students attempted to chatter in Russian for a couple minutes, smiling and laughing about how they sounded. In the middle of the performance, Mikhail paused to share a couple of Russian tongue twisters, explaining each one in English first, and then saying them in Russian at top speed. With each one, the twisters got more complicated and lengthy. There was even a chance for a handful of students to get up on stage and try out a couple of Russian percussion instruments.

The program of Multicultural School Assembly performance included
"The Snowstorm" Khorovod song and dance «Метелица»,
"Kamarinskaya", Instrumental solo Russian dance «Камаринская» performed on guitar and balalaika,
"The Peddlers" Russian folk song «Коробейники»,
"Kalinka" Russian folk dance «Калинка»,
"Amazing Balalaika" Medley «Волшебная балалайка»,
"Russian dance Workshop" interactive lesson «Урок Русского танца»,
"Russian Alphabet" interactive lesson «Урок Русского языка»,
"Where Are They?" Gypsy Roma song and dance «Кай-Йёне»,
"Chardash" balalaika instrumental solo «Чардаш»,
"Russian Bear" dance «Танец Медведя»,
"Russian Percussian Orchestra" interactive game «Оркестр Русских ударных инструментов», and few other selections.
Established in 1991, ensemble Barynya presents Russian, Cossack and Jewish traditional dancing and music on instruments including the balalaika, balalaika contrabass, guitar and garmoshka. Barynya has been invited to perform at some of the most prestigious cultural venues in the U.S., including Carnegie Hall, the Smithsonian, the United Nations and the Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C. Ensemble Barynya is available for hire for performing art centers, school assemblies, festivals, colleges, libraries, concert halls, restaurants, private and corporate events as one powerful ensemble or in smaller groups.

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All Saints School in Antigo, Wisconsin

Three members of ensemble Barynya presented a program of traditional Russian, Cossack, Ukrainian, Gypsy, and Jewish dances, songs and music on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at the All Saints School, 419 6th Ave, Antigo, WI 54409. The program included favorite Russian, Siberian, Russian-Gypsy, Russian-Jewish, Cossack, Ukrainian folk songs, dances, and performances on traditional Russian musical instruments balalaika and garmoshka.

Dimensions of Learning Academy, Kenosha, Wisconsin

March 17th, 2014. Multicultural school assembly. In between playing songs on their instruments, singing songs, and dancing traditional numbers to the music, Mikhail Smirnov shared with students of Dimensions of Learning Academy, 6218 25th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53143 a little bit of the Russian language with the students. He taught them phrases such as "Thank You" (SPASIBO), "Hello" (ZDRAVSTVUITE), "You're Welcome" (PAZHALUYSTA) and "Bye" (PAKA) as well as the alphabet and counting. He said each word in English and then slowly in Russian, allowing the children a moment to try the words themselves after each one. After the segment on words, the students attempted to chatter in Russian for a couple minutes, smiling and laughing about how they sounded. In the middle of the performance, Mikhail paused to share a couple of Russian tongue twisters, explaining each one in English first, and then saying them in Russian at top speed. With each one, the twisters got more complicated and lengthy. There was even a chance for a handful of students to get up on stage and try out a couple of Russian percussion instruments.

New Glarus Elementary School, New Glarus, Wisconsin

Mikhail Smirnov, Elina Karokhina, and Serhiy Tsyganok performed 45 min program on Wednesday, April 11, 2018 at the New Glarus Elementary School, 1420 2nd Street, New Glarus, WI 53574. School assembly concluded with Kalinka dance performed by students and Russian dancers.

Pelican Elementary School, Rhinelander, Wisconsin

Dancer Serhiy Tsyganok, balalaika virtuoso Elina Karokhina and singer Mikhail Smirnov performed 45 min program on Wednesday, April 11, 2018 at the Pelican Elementary School, 3350 V. Hickey Road, Rhinelander, WI 54501. School assembly included Russian folk song "The Peddlers" performed together by Russian musicians and students. Dancers performed over eight different dances from different parts of Russia.